The final tribute came with final tears, one last opportunity Monday to pay formal homage to a true gentleman. The surviving lineage of Ernie Harwell's long and loved Tigers history conveyed their enduring appreciation for a distinctive radio voice and a dedicated social conscience.

Friendship meant something to Ernie. It was an act of conviction rather than convenience.

The Tigers raised a commemorative white flag bearing the initials "EH" that will fly from the centerfield pole for the rest of the season. Former radio partners Ray Lane and Paul Carey combined for the ceremonial first pitch.

But Ernie Harwell Night's emotional pivot was singer Jose Feliciano's "Star-Spangled" encore -- 42 years after he stirred a national controversy performing his artistic interpretation of the national anthem before Game 5 of the 1968 World Series at Tiger Stadium.

He wouldn't miss honoring his friend who invited him to perform and stood by him as many critics questioned Harwell's and Feliciano's patriotism.

"My only regret is that Ernie almost lost his job because of me," Feliciano said Monday. "... But I'm thrilled and glad to be here for Ernie and his family. When I met Ernie, it was a relationship that would last for many, many years."

Oh, the memories it roused.

"Ray and I looked at each other as Jose performed," Carey said. "And we just said to ourselves 'Wow.' It was incredible. Ernie would be so happy that he came back to sing the anthem again for him."

Feliciano considered Harwell's loyalty one of his strongest qualities.

"We don't see that often in people anymore," he said.

The Tigers considered Harwell -- an accomplished lyricist with more than 60 of his songs recorded -- their link to the entertainment community, so general manager Jim Campbell entrusted him with arranging the national anthem performers for the middle three games of the World Series at Tiger Stadium.

Interestingly, Harwell selected Motown star Marvin Gaye to sing the anthem prior to Game 4 -- much to the concern of Campbell, who worried that Gaye might render an overly soulful, bluesy version that might be perceived as disrespectful. Campbell wanted it done straight.

Harwell spoke with Gaye, and he delivered a conventional rendition.

Ironically, the Tigers didn't have similar concerns about Feliciano. Feliciano said he found it amusing that they were more worried about Gaye, but he assured Harwell that he would do nothing to embarrass him, promising that his performance would offer a genuine reflection of his love for his country.

The paradox is that 15 years later, at the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, Gaye performed an equally memorable and controversial rhythm-and-blues rendition of the national anthem.

Feliciano unwittingly became a lightning rod for the political and social tumult of that time in 1968. Radio stations stopped playing his songs. Some branded him a communist. Others demanded that the U.S. immediately "deport" him to his native Puerto Rico, a difficult trick considering that the island is a U.S. territory.

"It was turned into a political statement, and that wasn't my intention," he said. "It bothered me that many people didn't understand what having that opportunity meant to me. But I remember Ernie telling me later how much he loved it."

Ernie stood by Feliciano, despite pressure from the Tigers to apologize for the performance. On Monday, Feliciano was there to repay Ernie's loyalty.